Multimodal analyte sensor network

ABSTRACT

The present invention involves a multimodal sensor network for analyte detection. A first mode may involve low-power detection and a second mode may involve determining an analyte concentration and transmitting data associated with the analyte concentration. Specifically, the first mode may include establishing an analyte sensor network in a detection region, detecting an analyte in the detection region, and generating an electrical signal in response to the detecting the analyte. In response to the electrical signal exceeding a first threshold, the analyte detection system may operate in the second mode. The second mode may include requesting data associated with the one or more environmental conditions, determining an analyte concentration based on one or more environmental conditions transmitting data associated with the analyte concentration.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of analytedetection, and more particularly to a method and sensor network foranalyte detection.

Conventional analyte monitoring systems may be unsuitable, and/orprohibitively expensive to implement, for continuous monitoring over aregion of a potential analyte source (e.g., a pipeline, drilling site,etc.). Low cost analyte (e.g., methane) sensors may have high minimumdetection limits and suffer from signal drift, cross sensitivities withother gases, and poisoning (which may make the sensors inaccuratewithout regular calibration). Optical-based analyte detectors may havelower minimum detection limits than low cost analyte sensors but may beexpensive and consume too much power for wireless sensor networkapplications.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for detecting ananalyte within a detection region. The method may include detecting ananalyte with an analyte sensor network established within the detectionregion. The analyst sensor network may include a sensor node array and alocal gateway. The sensor node array may include at least one first nodeand a plurality of second nodes distributed throughout the detectionregion. The at least one first node may include a first analyte sensorand each node of the plurality of second nodes may include a secondanalyte sensor. The first analyte sensor may have a lower detectionlimit than the second analyte sensor. Detecting the analyte may includeidentifying an electrical signal generated in response to the analyte inthe detection region. The electrical signal may be generated by anelectrochemical reaction of the first analyte sensor or the secondanalyte sensor. The method may include requesting, based on theelectrical signal exceeding a first threshold value, data associatedwith one or more environmental conditions of the detection region. Themethod may include determining an analyte concentration based on the oneor more environmental conditions. The method may include transmitting,based on the analyte concentration exceeding a second threshold value,data associated with the analyte concentration.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system for detecting ananalyte in a detection region. The system may include an analyte sensornetwork in the detection region comprising a sensor node array and alocal gateway. The sensor node array may include at least one first nodeand a plurality of second nodes distributed throughout the detectionregion. The at least one first node may include a first analyte sensor.Each node of the plurality of second nodes may include a second analytesensor. The first analyte sensor may have a lower detection limit thanthe second analyte sensor. The system may include one or more computerprocessors, one or more computer-readable storage media, and programinstructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for executionby at least one of the one or more processors. The program instructionsmay include instructions to detect the analyte with the analyte sensornetwork established within the detection region. The instructions todetect the analyte may include instructions to identify an electricalsignal generated by an electrochemical reaction of the analyte with oneor more portions of the first analyte sensor or the second analytesensor. The program instructions may include instructions to request,based on the electrical signal exceeding a first threshold value, dataassociated with one or more environmental conditions of the detectionregion. The program instructions may include instructions to determinean analyte concentration based on the one or more environmentalconditions. The program instructions may include instructions totransmit, based on the analyte concentration exceeding a secondthreshold value, data associated with the analyte concentration.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system for detecting ananalyte in a detection region. The system may include an analyte sensorarray comprising at least one first node and a plurality of second nodesdistributed throughout the detection region. The at least one first nodemay include an optical sensor. Each node of the plurality of secondnodes may include a chemiresistive sensor. The system may include anenvironmental conditions measuring device, such as, for example, athermometer, a barometer, a hygrometer, an anemometer, or anycombination thereof. The system may include a local gateway configuredto communicate with a remote gateway. The system may include a computingdevice including one or more processors, computer-readable storagemedia, and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storagemedia for execution by the processor. The program instructions mayinclude instructions to detect the analyte with the analyte sensor arrayestablished within the detection region. The instructions to detect theanalyte may include instructions to identify an electrical signalgenerated by an electrochemical reaction of the analyte with one or moreportions of the first analyte sensor and/or the second analyte sensor.The program instructions may include instructions to request, based onthe electrical signal exceeding a first threshold value, data associatedwith one or more environmental conditions of the detection region. Theprogram instructions may include instructions to determine an analyteconcentration based on the one or more environmental conditions. Theprogram instructions may include instructions to transmit, based on theanalyte concentration exceeding a second threshold value, dataassociated with the analyte concentration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the invention solely thereto, will best be appreciatedin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an analyte monitoringsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first node, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second node, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates a local gateway node, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate the analyte monitoring system operating in afirst mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the analyte monitoring system operating in asecond mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of an analytemonitoring program, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of components of a proxy server computerexecuting the analyte monitoring program, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering representslike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention may involve a system and method ofa sensor network for analyte detection. Conventional analyte sensornetworks may rely on centralized communications where each node sendsinformation to a central gateway to aggregate and analyze data. Thisprocess may involve frequent data streaming from sensing nodes to agateway. Analytics, such as analysis of an analyte concentration, may becarried out at the gateway or in a data center and then transmitted to aradio at the sensing nodes. This may require frequent radiocommunication at the sensing nodes, increasing power consumption and, inthe case of battery-operated sensing nodes, reducing battery life of thesensing nodes.

Embodiments of the present invention may involve a system (e.g., asensor network) and method for analyte detection having a combination ofat least one high performance sensor mote (e.g., including an opticalsensor) and a plurality of low cost sensor motes (e.g., including achemiresistive sensor). A sensor mote may be a node in a sensor networkincluding one or more devices, such as, for example, a sensor,communication device, gateway, environmental conditions sensor,computing device, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, thesensor network may include a weather station which may, for example,indicate direction and speed of the wind flow. In an embodiment, aseries of low cost sensor motes may be spatially distributed over aregion of a potential analyte source (e.g., a pipeline, production site,etc.) where each low cost sensor mote is a distance (e.g., ranging from1 meter to 15 kilometers and ranges therebetween) from one or moreneighboring low cost sensor motes. In an embodiment, a high performancesensor mote may be located within a detection region. The sensor mayacquire the signal continuously or following a well-defined protocolthat may be related to, for example, a wind direction or a measurementfrom another sensor node. A combination of at least one high performancesensor mote and a plurality of low cost sensor motes spatiallydistributed over a region of a potential analyte source (i.e. adetection region) may be cheaper and consume less power thanconventional analyte detection systems covering the region of thepotential analyte. Embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 1 is an analyte monitoring system 100, according to an aspect ofthe invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the analyte monitoring system100 may include an analyte sensor network in a detection regionincluding a sensor node array and a local gateway node 120. In anotherembodiment, the analyte monitoring system 100 may include the sensornode array, the local gateway node 120, and an environmental conditionssensor. The sensor node array may include at least one first node (e.g.,first node 102) and a plurality of second nodes (e.g., second node 104,second node 106, second node 108, second node 110, second node 112,second node 113, second node 116, second node 118, second node 122,second node 124, second node 126, second node 128, second node 130, andsecond node 132) distributed throughout the detection region. The atleast one first node may include a first analyte sensor. Each node ofthe plurality of second nodes may include a second analyte sensor. Thefirst analyte sensor may have a lower detection limit than the secondanalyte sensor.

In an embodiment, the analyte monitoring system 100 may include anenvironmental conditions sensor (e.g., a weather station) which may bean independent node or included in another node. For example, theenvironmental conditions sensor may be included within the local gatewaynode 120, the first node 102, the second node 104, or any combination ofnodes. The environmental conditions sensor may measure, for example,wind direction, wind direction, temperature, humidity, or anycombination of environmental conditions. In an embodiment, an analytesensor may be mounted on top of the environmental conditions sensorwhich may enable the analyte sensor to detect an analyte more easilythan if mounted in a lower position, such as, for example, at groundlevel.

Nodes of the sensor node array may be distributed throughout a detectionregion. The detection region may be a location where a potential leak ofan analyte may occur, such as, for example, a region in and/or around amine (e.g., region around a hydraulic fracturing operation, coal mine,etc.), a region around a pipeline (e.g., region around a natural gaspipeline), or a region around a geological emission source (e.g.,volcano, sea floor vent, geyser, etc.). The nodes may be distributedthroughout the detection region a distance apart from one another. Forexample, the second node 108 may be a distance D₁ from the second node116, the second node 116 may be a distance D2 from the second node 124.The distances may be the same distance or a different distance. Thedistances may range from approximately 1 meter to approximately 15kilometers, and ranges therebetween. The ranges therebetween mayinclude, for example, 5 to 10 meters, 15 to 25 meters, 50 to 60 meters,etc. Each distance may depend on one or more variables, such as, forexample, a characteristic of an analyte, one or more known and/orexpected environmental conditions, a characteristic of the detectionregion (e.g., topography or vegetation cover), a detection limit of oneor more analyte sensors, a population of the detection region (e.g., adetection region in and/or near a city may involve smaller distancesbetween nodes), energy consumption per node, energy generation per node(e.g., via solar cells), or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the analyte monitoring system 100 may include anetwork. The network may be any combination of connections and protocolsthat will support communications between the nodes (e.g., between thefirst node 102 and the local gateway node 120). In an embodiment, thenetwork may have a network topology in which each node can relay datafor the network (i.e. a mesh network). In another embodiment, each nodemay be connected to a common central node (i.e. a star network). Forexample, each node (e.g., first node 102 and second node 104) may beconnected to the local gateway node 120. The network may include, forexample, wired connections, wireless connections, or a combinationthereof. In other embodiments, the network may be implemented as apersonal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a metropolitanarea network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global area network(GAN), or any combination of networks.

In an embodiment, each node of the analyte monitoring system 100 mayinclude a communication device to enable data transmission in thenetwork. The communication device may include, for example, a near-fieldcommunication (NFC) device, an Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 device (e.g., Wi-Fi), an IEEE 802.16 device(e.g., WiMAX), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) device, a microwavetransmission device, or any combination thereof. The communicationdevice may be included in one or more nodes (e.g., the first node 102,the second node 104, the locate gateway node 120, etc.).

In an embodiment, the analyte monitoring system 100 may include ananalyte monitoring application. The analyte monitoring application maybe a program, function, or module of a computer program (not shown)executable by a processor of the analyte monitoring system 100. In anembodiment, the analyte monitoring program may be executable by aprocessor within one or more nodes (e.g., first node 102, second node104, and/or local gateway node 120) of the analyte monitoring system100.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, the first node 102, the second node 104,and the local gateway node 120 are shown, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The first node 102, the second node104, and the local gateway node 120 may include, for example, an analytesensor, weather sensor, communication device, local gateway, energystorage device, energy conversion device, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2A illustrates the first node 102, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. In an embodiment, the first node 102 mayinclude a sensitive analyte sensor 202. In an embodiment, the first node102 may include, for example, the sensitive analyte sensor 202,environmental conditions sensor 204, computing device 205, communicationdevice 206, energy storage device 208, energy conversion device 210, orany combination thereof. For example, the first node 102 may include asensitive analyte sensor 202 (e.g., an optical analyte sensor), acommunication device 206 (e.g., an NFC device), and an energy storagedevice 208 (e.g., a battery).

In an embodiment, the first node 102 may include the sensitive analytesensor 202. The sensitive analyte sensor 202 may detect an analyte ormore than one analyte. In an embodiment, sensitive analyte sensor 202may detect any analyte, such as, for example, thiols, alcohols, amines,carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, sulfuroxides, nitrogen oxides, fluorinated gases, aromatic compounds,aliphatic compounds, or any combination thereof. Nonlimiting examples ofaliphatic compounds include methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Forexample, the sensitive analyte sensor 202 may detect only methane. Inanother example, the sensitive analyte sensor 202 may detect methane andnitrous oxide. In an embodiment, the sensitive analyte sensor 202 maybe, for example, an optical analyte sensor. The sensitive analyte sensor202 may have a minimum detection limit that may vary depending on theparticular analyte being measured. For example, the sensitive analytesensor 202 may have a lower detection limit for methane ranging fromapproximately 1 part per billion (ppb) to approximately 10 parts permillion (ppm).

In an embodiment, the first node 102 may include the environmentalconditions sensor 204. The environmental conditions sensor 204 mayinclude, for example, a thermometer, a barometer, a hygrometer, ananemometer, or any combination thereof. The environmental conditionssensor 204 may determine one or more environmental conditions, such as,for example, temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, dewpoint, pressure, solar irradiance, air quality, or snow depth. Inanother embodiment, the first node 102 may not include the environmentalconditions sensor 204 and the one or more environmental conditions maybe received via another device. For example, the first node 102 mayreceive the one or more environmental conditions from another node(e.g., the local gateway node 120, the second node 104, etc.) via thecommunication device 206. In an embodiment, the one or moreenvironmental conditions determined by the environmental conditionssensor 204 and/or received from another node may be analyzed by thecomputing device 205.

In an embodiment, the first node 102 may include the computing device205. The computing device 205 may be, for example, computing node 10(FIG. 6). The computing device 205 may include, for example, an analytemonitoring database, an environmental conditions database, a detectionregion database (e.g., including data associated with the region and alocation of one or more nodes), one or more processors, and input/outputinterface (e.g., for transmitting and/or receiving data from one or moredevices), or any combination thereof. The computing device 205 maytransmit and/or receive data from one or more devices within the firstnode 102, such as, for example, the sensitive analyte sensor 202, theenvironmental conditions sensor 204, the communication device 206, orany combination thereof. The computing device 205 may store datareceived from the one or more devices in one or more databases, such as,for example, the analyte monitoring database, the environmentalconditions database, the detection region database, or any combinationthereof. The computing device 205 may analyze data received and/orstored in the one or more databases. For example, the computing device205 may determine an analyte concentration based on data associated withan analyte (e.g., voltage data from the sensitive analyte sensor 202),data associated with one or more environmental conditions (e.g., windspeed data from the environmental conditions sensor 204 and/or solarirradiance data from the energy conversion device 210), or a combinationthereof.

In an embodiment, the first node 102 may include the communicationdevice 206. The communication device 206 may include, for example, anear-field communication (NFC) device, an IEEE 802.11 device (e.g.,Wi-Fi), an IEEE 802.16 device (e.g., WiMAX), a Long Term Evolution (LTE)device, a microwave transmission device, or any combination thereof. Thecommunication device 206 may enable communication with one or more nodesin the network (e.g., the local gateway node 120).

In an embodiment, the first node 102 may include the energy storagedevice 208, the energy conversion device 210, a hybrid energystorage/conversion device, or any combination thereof. The energystorage device 208 may be any device capable of storing energy (e.g.,chemical energy, thermal energy, potential energy, etc.) for a period oftime (e.g., hours, days, years, etc.). The energy conversion device 208may be any device capable of converting an energy source to electricalenergy. In an embodiment, the energy storage device 208 and the energyconversion device 210 may be separate devices. In an example, the energystorage device 208 may be a fuel tank (e.g., a gasoline tank) and theenergy conversion device 210 may be a reciprocating engine. In anotherembodiment, the energy storage device 208 and the energy conversiondevice 210 may be the same device or an indistinguishable combination ofdevices (i.e. the hybrid energy storage/conversion device). Nonlimitingexamples of the energy storage device 208, the energy conversion device210, and the hybrid energy storage/conversion device include anelectrochemical device, a photovoltaic device, a thermoelectric device,a piezoelectric device, a betavoltaic device, a turbine, a reciprocatingengine, or any combination thereof. In an example, the hybrid energystorage/conversion device may be an electrochemical device (e.g., abattery) and the energy conversion device 210 may be a photovoltaicdevice (e.g., a solar cell).

FIG. 2B illustrates the second node 104, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, thesecond node 104 may include a low-power analyte sensor 212. In anembodiment, the second node 104 may include, for example, the low-poweranalyte sensor 212, environmental conditions sensor 214, computingdevice 215, communication device 216, energy storage device 218, energyconversion device 220, or any combination thereof. For example, secondnode 104 may include the low-power analyte sensor 212 (e.g., achemiresistive analyte sensor), a communication device 216 (e.g., an NFCdevice), and an energy storage device 218 (e.g., a battery).

In an embodiment, the second node 104 may include the low-power analytesensor 212. The low-power analyte sensor 212 may detect an analyte ormore than one analyte. In an embodiment, low-power analyte sensor 212may detect any analyte, such as, for example, thiols, alcohols, amines,carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, sulfuroxides, nitrogen oxides, fluorinated gases, aromatic compounds,aliphatic compounds, or any combination thereof. Nonlimiting examples ofaliphatic compounds include methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Forexample, the low-power analyte sensor 212 may detect only methane. Inanother example, the low-power analyte sensor 212 may detect methane andnitrous oxide. In an embodiment, the low-power analyte sensor 212 maybe, for example, a chemiresistive analyte sensor. The low-power analytesensor 212 may have a minimum detection limit that may vary depending onthe particular analyte being measured. For example, the low-poweranalyte sensor 212 may have a lower detection limit for methane rangingfrom approximately 1 part per million (ppm) to approximately 10 ppm.

In an embodiment, the second node 104 may include the environmentalconditions sensor 214. The environmental conditions sensor 214 mayinclude, for example, a thermometer, a barometer, a hygrometer, ananemometer, or any combination thereof. The environmental conditionssensor 214 may determine one or more environmental conditions, such as,for example, temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, dewpoint, pressure, solar irradiance, air quality, or snow depth. Inanother embodiment, the second node 104 may include the environmentalconditions sensor 214 and the one or more environmental conditions maybe received via another device. For example, the second node 104 mayreceive the one or more environmental conditions from another node(e.g., the local gateway node 120, the first node 102, etc.) via thecommunication device 216. In an embodiment, the one or moreenvironmental conditions determined by the environmental conditionssensor 214 or received from another node may be analyzed by thecomputing device 215.

In an embodiment, the second node 104 may include the computing device215. The computing device 215 may be, for example, computing node 10(FIG. 6). The computing device 215 may include, for example, an analytemonitoring database, an environmental conditions database, a detectionregion database (e.g., including data associated with the region and alocation of one or more nodes), one or more processors, and input/outputinterface (e.g., for transmitting and/or receiving data from one or moredevices), or any combination thereof. The computing device 215 maytransmit and/or receive data from one or more devices within the secondnode 104, such as, for example, the low-power analyte sensor 212, theenvironmental conditions sensor 214, the communication device 216, orany combination thereof. The computing device 215 may store datareceived from the one or more devices in one or more databases, such as,for example, the analyte monitoring database, the environmentalconditions database, the detection region database, or any combinationthereof. The computing device 215 may analyze data received and/orstored in the one or more databases. For example, the computing device215 may determine an analyte concentration based on data associated withan analyte (e.g., voltage data from the sensitive analyte sensor 202),data associated with one or more environmental conditions (e.g., windspeed data from the environmental conditions sensor 204 and/or solarirradiance data from, for example, a solar cell), or a combinationthereof.

In an embodiment, the second node 104 may include the communicationdevice 216. The communication device 216 may include, for example, anear-field communication (NFC) device, an IEEE 802.11 device (e.g.,Wi-Fi), an IEEE 802.16 device (e.g., WiMAX), a Long Term Evolution (LTE)device, a microwave transmission device, or any combination thereof. Thecommunication device 216 may enable communication with one or more nodesin the network (e.g., the local gateway node 120).

In an embodiment, the second node 104 may include the energy storagedevice 218, the energy conversion device 220, a hybrid energystorage/conversion device, or any combination thereof. The energystorage device 218 may be any device capable of storing energy (e.g.,chemical energy, thermal energy, potential energy, etc.) for a period oftime (e.g., hours, days, years, etc.). The energy conversion device 208may be any device capable of converting an energy source to electricalenergy. In an embodiment, the energy storage device 218 and the energyconversion device 220 may be distinct devices. For example, the energystorage device 208 may be a fuel tank (e.g., a gasoline tank) and theenergy conversion device 210 may be a reciprocating engine. In anotherembodiment, the energy storage device 208 and the energy conversiondevice 210 may be the same device or an indistinguishable combination ofdevices (i.e. the hybrid energy storage/conversion device). Nonlimitingexamples of the energy storage device 218, the energy conversion device220, and the hybrid energy storage/conversion device include anelectrochemical device, a photovoltaic device, a thermoelectric device,a piezoelectric device, a betavoltaic device, a turbine, a reciprocatingengine, or any combination thereof. In an example, the hybrid energystorage/conversion device may be an electrochemical device (e.g., abattery) and the energy conversion device 220 may be a photovoltaicdevice (e.g., a solar cell).

FIG. 2C illustrates the local gateway node 120, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, thelocal gateway node 120 may include an analyte sensor 222. In anembodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include, for example, theanalyte sensor 222, environmental conditions sensor 224, computingdevice 225, communication device 226, local gateway 227, energy storagedevice 228, energy conversion device 230, or any combination thereof.For example, local gateway node 120 may include the analyte sensor 222(e.g., an optical analyte sensor, a chemiresistive analyte sensor,etc.), a communication device 226 (e.g., an NFC device), and an energystorage device 228 (e.g., a battery).

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include the analytesensor 222. The analyte sensor 222 may be, for example, the sensitiveanalyte sensor 202, the low-power sensor 212, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include theenvironmental conditions sensor 224. The environmental conditions sensor224 may be, for example, the environmental conditions sensor 204, theenvironmental conditions sensor 214, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include the computingdevice 225. The computing device 225 may be, for example, computing node10 (FIG. 6). The computing device 225 may include, for example, ananalyte monitoring database, an environmental conditions database, adetection region database (e.g., including data associated with theregion and a location of one or more nodes), one or more processors, andinput/output interface (e.g., for transmitting and/or receiving datafrom one or more devices), or any combination thereof. The computingdevice 225 may transmit and/or receive data from one or more deviceswithin the local gateway node 120, such as, for example, the analytesensor 222, the environmental conditions sensor 224, the communicationdevice 226, the local gateway 227, or any combination thereof. Thecomputing device 225 may store data received from the one or moredevices in one or more databases, such as, for example, the analytemonitoring database, the environmental conditions database, thedetection region database, or any combination thereof. The computingdevice 225 may analyze data received and/or stored in the one or moredatabases. For example, the computing device 225 may determine ananalyte concentration based on data associated with an analyte (e.g.,voltage data from the sensitive analyte sensor 202), data associatedwith one or more environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed data fromthe environmental conditions sensor 224 and/or solar irradiance datafrom the energy conversion device 230), or a combination thereof. In anembodiment, the computing device 225 may receive data from the localgateway 227 (e.g., received from a remote gateway) and perform one ormore functions with the data, such as, for example, store the receiveddata in one or more databases, analyze the received data, transmit thereceived data to another device, or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include thecommunication device 226. The communication device 226 may include, forexample, a near-field communication (NFC) device, an IEEE 802.11 device(e.g., Wi-Fi), an IEEE 802.16 device (e.g., WiMAX), a Long TermEvolution (LTE) device, a microwave transmission device, or anycombination thereof. The communication device 226 may enablecommunication with one or more nodes in the network (e.g., the firstnode 102, the second node 104, etc.).

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include the localgateway 227. The local gateway 227 may include one or more interfacingdevices to enable communication with another network. The local gateway227 may include one or more interfacing devices such as, for example,protocol translators, impedance matching devices, rate converters, faultisolators, signal translators, or any combination thereof. The localgateway 227 may communicate with one or more remote devices, such as,for example, a remote gateway, remote server, etc. The local gateway 227may include one or more interfacing devices which may be compatible withone or more interfacing devices of the one or more remote devices. Thelocal gateway 227 may transmit data obtained and/or determined by theanalyte monitoring system 100. For example, one or more computingdevices may determine than an analyte concentration in the detectionregion exceeds a threshold and the local gateway 227 may transmit dataassociated with the analyte concentration to a remote gateway of anothernetwork. Embodiments of the local gateway 227 transmitting analyte datato another network are described with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B.

In an embodiment, the local gateway node 120 may include the energystorage device 228, the energy conversion device 230, a hybrid energystorage/conversion device, or any combination thereof. The energystorage device 228 may be any device capable of storing energy (e.g.,chemical energy, thermal energy, potential energy, etc.) for a period oftime (e.g., hours, days, years, etc.). The energy conversion device 228may be any device capable of converting an energy source to electricalenergy. In an embodiment, the energy storage device 228 and the energyconversion device 230 may be distinct devices. In an example, the energystorage device 228 may be a fuel tank (e.g., a gasoline tank) and theenergy conversion device 230 may be a reciprocating engine. In anotherembodiment, the energy storage device 228 and the energy conversiondevice 230 may be the same device or an indistinguishable combination ofdevices (i.e. the hybrid energy storage/conversion device). Nonlimitingexamples of the energy storage device 228, the energy conversion device230, and the hybrid energy storage/conversion device include anelectrochemical device, a photovoltaic device, a thermoelectric device,a piezoelectric device, a betavoltaic device, a turbine, a reciprocatingengine, or any combination thereof. In an example, the hybrid energystorage/conversion device may be an electrochemical device (e.g., abattery) and the energy conversion device 230 may be a photovoltaicdevice (e.g., a solar cell).

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate the analyte monitoring system 100 (FIG. 1)operating in a first mode, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The first mode may be performed by the analytemonitoring system 100 and include (1) detecting an analyte in thedetection region, (2) generating an electrical signal in response todetecting the analyte, and (3) determining whether the electrical signalexceeds a threshold. In an embodiment, if the electrical signal isdetermined to exceed a threshold, the analyte monitoring system 100 mayoperate in a second mode or another mode. The second mode is describedwith reference to FIGS. 4A-4B. In an embodiment, the first mode mayinvolve less power consumption than the second mode. In an embodiment,the first mode may involve less data transmission than the second mode.In an embodiment, the first mode may involve less power consumption andless data transmission than the second mode.

The analyte monitoring system 100 may be implemented using any networktopology, such as, for example, bus, star, ring, mesh, tree, hybrid,daisy chain, or any combination thereof. A star network 300 (FIG. 3A)and a mesh network 350 (FIG. 3B) are described below.

FIG. 3A illustrates the analyte monitoring system 100 implemented in astar network 300. In the star network 300, one or more nodes (e.g., thefirst node 102, the second node 104, etc.) may be connected to anothernode (e.g., the local gateway node 120) with a point-to-pointconnection. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first node(e.g., the first node 102) and the plurality of second nodes (e.g., thesecond node 104, the second node 106, etc.) may be connected to thelocal gateway (e.g., the local gateway 227 via the communication device226 in the local gateway node 120). In an embodiment, every node may bedirectly connected to the local gateway node and indirectly connected toevery other node via the local gateway node. In an embodiment, the starnetwork 300 may be an extended star network including one or morerepeaters between the local gateway node and one or more other nodes toextend a maximum transmission distance of the point-to-point links.

FIG. 3B illustrates the analyte monitoring system 100 implemented in amesh network 350. In the mesh network 350, a plurality of nodes (e.g.,e.g., the first node 102, the second node 104, etc.) may beinterconnected to one another. In an embodiment, the mesh network 350may be a fully connected network in which each node is connected withevery other node with a point-to-point connection. In anotherembodiment, the mesh network 350 may be a partially connected network inwhich some nodes are connected to more than one other node in thenetwork with a point-to-point connection.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the analyte monitoring system 100 operating in asecond mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.In an embodiment, if a threshold is exceeded, the analyte monitoringsystem 100 may operate in the second mode or another mode. For example,if a determined electrical signal of an analyte sensor (e.g., sensitiveanalyte sensor 202, low-power analyte sensor 212, or analyte sensor 222)exceeds a threshold, the analyte monitoring system 100 may operate inthe second mode. In another example, if a determined analyteconcentration exceeds a threshold, the analyte monitoring system 100 mayoperate in the second mode. The second mode may include one or more ofthe following: (1) receiving data associated with one or moreenvironmental conditions of the detection region and determining ananalyte concentration based on one or more environmental conditions or(2) transmitting, by the local gateway, data associated with the analyteconcentration. The second mode may consume more power than the firstmode. By operating in the first mode unless a threshold is reached, theanalyte monitoring system 100 may conserve power while accurately andswiftly detecting an analyte concentration exceeding a threshold.

In an embodiment, the second mode may involve receiving data associatedwith one or more environmental conditions. For example, an environmentalconditions sensor (e.g., environmental conditions sensor 204,environmental conditions sensor 214, and/or environmental conditionssensor 224) may determine one or more environmental conditions andtransmit data associated with the one or more environmental conditionsto one or more computing devices (e.g., the computing device 205,computing device 215, and/or computing device 225). The one or morecomputing devices may determine an analyte concentration based on datareceived from an analyte sensor (e.g., voltage data) and the dataassociated with one or more environmental conditions. Utilizing anenvironmental conditions sensor and analyzing data associated with oneor more environmental conditions may consume electrical power from, forexample, a battery or another energy storage device. In another example,a local gateway (e.g., the local gateway 227) may request and receivedata associated with one or more environmental conditions from a remoteserver. The local gateway may transmit the data associated with one ormore environmental conditions to one or more computing devices. The oneor more computing devices may determine an analyte concentration basedon data received from an analyte sensor (e.g., voltage data) and thedata associated with one or more environmental conditions. Utilizing thelocal gateway to retrieve data associated with one or more environmentalconditions and analyzing the data may consume electrical power from, forexample, a battery or another energy storage device.

In another embodiment, the second mode may involve data transmission.One or more nodes (e.g., the local gateway node 120) may transmit and/orreceive data from a remote device (e.g., a remote server). In anembodiment, received data may be used to assist in determining aconcentration of an analyte and/or a source of an analyte leak. Forexample, the local gateway 227 of the local gateway node 120 maycommunicate with a remote server. The local gateway 227 may transmitdata associated with a detected analyte such as, for example, a voltagegenerated by an analyte sensor, a determined analyte concentration, or acombination thereof. The local gateway 227 may transmit a data query,such as, for example, a request for data associated with one or moreenvironmental conditions of the detection region. The local gateway 227may receive data from the remote server which may include dataassociated with for example, one or more environmental conditions of thedetection region (e.g., wind distribution information). In anembodiment, data received from the server may validate a local nodemeasurement. The local gateway 227 may receive a query from the remoteserver, such as, for example, data from a particular analyte sensor(e.g., determined analyte concentration at the first node 102). Thelocal gateway 227 may receive an instruction from the remote server,such as, for example, detect an analyte at one or more nodes, determinean analyte concentration at one or more nodes, determine a distancebetween one or more nodes, or a combination thereof. Transmitting andreceiving data between the local gateway 227 and the remote serverand/or amongst various nodes may consume electrical power. Aninstruction to perform one or more tasks (e.g. detect an analyte at oneor more nodes) may consume electrical power. Communicating with a remoteserver and/or performing additional tasks in the second mode may be morepower intensive than operating in the first mode.

In an embodiment, one or more sensor nodes may determine a location ofan analyte source. For example, data from one or more sensor nodes maybe used to trianglulate a location of the analyte source. One or moresensor nodes at particular locations may perform an analyte measurementin various arrangements to establish the localization of the source. Oneor more environmental conditions may be included in an analyte sourcedetermination, such as, for example, wind speed and wind direction. Bydetermining an analyte concentration at one or more sensor nodes andaccounting for wind speed and direction, a location of the analytesource may be determined. The location of the analyte source may beverified by repeating the localization determination by the same sensornodes and/or different sensor nodes. In an embodiment, data associatedwith characteristics of the detection region may be taken into accountin determining the location of the analyte source. Characteristics ofthe detection region may include, for example, topology, vegetation,infrastructure, or any combination thereof. Topology, vegetation, andinfrastructure (e.g., a wall, building, etc.) that may change air flowin the detection region and affect a measurement depending on a locationof the ananyte leak. Characteristics of the detection region may be usedto determine air flow changes caused by, for example, a building, andgenerate a plume distribution model based on the characteristics of thedetection region. By determining an analyte concentration at one or moresensor nodes and accounting for characteristics of the detection region,a location of the analyte source may be determined. The data from sensornodes may be transmitted to the central gateway to aggregate the data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for a multimodal analyte sensornetwork, using the analyte monitoring system 100 of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Steps of method500 may be executed using a processor of a computer that encompasses, oris part of, the analyte monitoring system 100, or another system. In anembodiment, a method 500 for a multimodal analyte sensor network mayinclude establishing an analyte sensor network in a detection region(step 504), a first mode 502, and a second mode 518. The first mode 502may be less power intensive than the second mode 518.

Step 504 may include establishing an analyte sensor network in adetection region. Establishing the analyte sensor network in thedetection region may involve installing an analyte sensor array.Establishing the analyte sensor network may include connecting one ormore nodes of the analyte sensor array via a network. The analyte sensorarray may include at least one first node and a plurality of secondnodes. In an embodiment, one or more nodes may be connected and one ormore nodes may not be connected to the network at a given time. Thenodes that are connected to the network and acquiring signal may bedependent on the measurement of the node and the calculations that mayindicate analyte level expected at the second nodes. If the measurementat a node is not significant, that nodes can enter in a remote low powermode state. The at least one first node may include a sensitive analytesensor (e.g., an optical analyte sensor) having a lower detection limitthan a low-power analyte sensor (e.g, a chemireisitive analyte sensor)included in the plurality of second nodes. Each node can carry out acalculation on the node based on the measurement and a plumedistribution model. Each node may communicate via a communicationsdevice (e.g., an NFC device) with at least one other node (e.g, thelocal gateway node) in the network. At least one node may include alocal gateway (e.g., the local gateway node) to communicate with adevice (e.g., a remote server) outside of the network. Each node may bea distance (e.g., the distance D₁) from another node and distributedthroughout the detection region.

The first mode 502 may include detecting an analyte in the detectionregion (step 508), generating an electrical signal in response todetecting the analyte (step 512), and determining whether the electricalsignal exceeds a threshold (decision 516). In an embodiment, the analytedetection system 100 may remain in the first mode 502 if the thresholdis not exceeded (decision 516, “No”). In another embodiment, the analytedetection system 100 may adjust to operating in a second mode 518 if thethreshold is exceeded (decision 516, “Yes”). Each step and decision ofthe first mode 502 is discussed below.

Step 508 may include detecting an analyte in the detection region.Detecting may be performed by, for example, one or more analyte sensors(e.g., sensitive analyte sensor 202, low-power analyte sensor 212, etc.)in one or more nodes (e.g., first node 102, second node 104, etc.).Detecting may involve receiving an analyte into the sensor. The sensormay respond to receiving the analyte by generating an electrical signalas described in step 512 below.

Step 512 may include generating an electrical signal in response todetecting the analyte. Generating an electrical signal in response toreceiving the analyte may involve an electrochemical response toreceiving the analyte. For example, the sensor may include achemiresistor which may change its electrical resistance in response toa chemical interaction between a sensing material (e.g., metal oxide,conductive polymer, carbon etc.) and the analyte. A resistance changemay indicate a presence of analyte and/or an amount of analyte present.A change in electrical resistance (i.e. electrical signal) may bemeasured. The measured change of an electrical signal may be used, forexample, to determine whether the electrical signal exceeds a thresholdas described below with reference to decision 516.

Decision 516 may include determining whether the electrical signalexceeds a first threshold. If the electrical signal exceeds the firstthreshold, the analyte detection system 100 may adjust to operating inthe second mode 518 (decision 516, Yes). If the electrical signal doesnot exceed the first threshold, the analyte detection system 100 maycontinue to operate in the first mode 502 (decision 502, No). The firstthreshold may be an electrical signal greater than, for example, abackground signal. For example, a sensing material of a sensor may havean inherent resistance which may change in the presence of an analyte. Achange in resistance measured (i.e. an electrical signal) that isgreater than a typical variation of the inherent resistance may indicatethat the analyte is present. In another example, one or moreenvironmental conditions (e.g., temperature) may cause a change in ameasured resistance greater than a typical variation. An electricalsignal exceeding a threshold caused by one or more environmentalconditions may be determined in the second mode 518 (e.g., decision 528,No) and result in reverting to operation in the first mode 502.

The second mode 518 may include receiving data associated with one ormore environmental conditions of the detection region (step 520),determining an analyte concentration based on one or more environmentalconditions (step 524), determining whether the analyte concentrationexceeds a threshold (decision 528), and transmitting, by the localgateway, data associated with the analyte concentration (step 532). Inan embodiment, the analyte detection system 100 may revert to the firstmode if the analyte concentration is determined to not exceed a secondthreshold (decision 528, No). In an embodiment, the analyte detectionsystem 100 remains in the second mode 518 if the analyte concentrationis determined to exceed the second threshold (decision 528, Yes). Eachstep and decision of the second mode 518 is discussed below.

Step 520 may include receiving data associated with one or moreenvironmental conditions of the detection region. In an embodiment, thedata associated with the one or more environmental conditions may bereceived from an environmental conditions sensor (e.g., theenvironmental conditions sensor 204). Data associated with one or moreenvironmental conditions may include, for example, data associated withtemperature, pressure, humidity, etc. In an embodiment, the dataassociated with the one or more environmental conditions may be receivedfrom a remote server.

Step 524 may include determining an analyte concentration based on oneor more environmental conditions. In an embodiment, one or moreenvironmental conditions may be used to determine an analyteconcentration. For example, an analyte detector may be sensitive tomoisture such that data associated with a humidity and/or precipitationof a detection region may be used to exclude electronic signalsresulting from moisture. In another example, data associated with windspeed may be used to estimate wind turbulence and mixing of an analytecaused by wind turbulence. In another example, data associated withsolar irradiance may be used to estimate wind turbulence (e.g., fromatmospheric heating near a ground surface) and mixing of an analytecaused by wind turbulence. Accounting for the one or more environmentalconditions may enable more accurate determinations of an analyteconcentration and/or reduce a likelihood of a false positive detectionof an analyte.

Decision 528 may include determining whether the analyte concentrationexceeds a second threshold. In an embodiment, the second threshold maybe the lowest detectable concentration of an analyte by an analytesensor (e.g., the sensitive analyte sensor 202, the low-power analytesensor 212, etc.). In another embodiment, the second threshold may be avalue for the analyte concentration that exceeds one standard deviationof a blank value. For example, a blank value may involve an analyteconcentration determination in the absence of the analyte and onestandard deviation of the blank value may be determined by a statisticalevaluation of the analyte concentration determination in the absence ofthe analyte. In another embodiment, the second threshold may be a valuefor the analyte concentration that exceeds three standard deviations ofa blank value. For example, a blank value may involve an analyteconcentration determination in the absence of the analyte and threestandard deviations of the blank value may be determined by astatistical evaluation of the analyte concentration determination in theabsence of the analyte. In an embodiment, an analyte may be ubiquitousin the detection region and a threshold greater than one standarddeviation above a background level of the analyte may be selected. Thesecond threshold may be a fixed value or may change. For example, asensing device may be recalibrated to determine a new blank value andthe second threshold may change accordingly. In another example, abackground level of an analyte may change and the second threshold maychange accordingly. In another example, the local gateway (e.g., thelocal gateway 227) may receive an instruction to change the secondthreshold to another value. If the determined concentration does notexceed the threshold value, the analyte detection system may revert tothe first mode 502 (e.g., by performing step 508). Reverting to thefirst mode 502 may be less power intensive than remaining in the secondmode 518. If the determined analyte concentration exceeds the thresholdvalue, the analyte detection system may perform step 532 (decision 528,yes).

Step 532 may include transmitting, by the local gateway, data associatedwith the analyte concentration. In an embodiment, the data associatedwith the analyte concentration may include, for example, the determinedanalyte concentration, a change in the determined concentration overtime, a measurement of the generated electrical signal, a change in themeasurement of the generated electrical signal over time, a location ofone or more node(s) where a detection occurred, one or moreenvironmental conditions, the first threshold, the second threshold, analert indicating an exceedance of a threshold, or any combinationthereof. In an embodiment, the analyte detection system may transmitdata associated with the analyte concentration to a remote server. In anembodiment, the analyte detection system 100 may receive a request foradditional data (e.g., one or more data associated with the analyteconcentration not previously sent) and/or an instruction to perform oneor more functions (e.g., detect an analyte at a particular node). Theanalyte detection system 100 may transmit additional data in response toa request and/or perform one or more functions in response to aninstruction to do so. In an embodiment, a concentration and location ofan analyte leak may be determined by a central computer (e.g., at thelocal gateway node) based on information requested from the individualnodes. In another embodiment, a central computer may carry out a modelcalculation of the distribution of the plume from an analyte leaksituated in the detection platform and compare the calculation with datareceived from the sensing nodes. If the values are similar, the systemmay validate the model. If the measurement and model values aredifferent, data from each sensor except for one excluded sensor may beused to generate a second model. The second model may be used todetermine an analyte concentration value for the location of theexcluded sensor. The analyte concentration value for the location of theexcluded sensor may be compared with the value measured by the excludedsensor. If the second model predicts the value measured by the excludedsensor within a margin of error, the second model may be authorized topredict one or more additional concentrations of an analyte, determinethe location and/or movement of an analyte plume, determine a locationof an analyte leak, or any combination thereof. The calculation may beiterated until the model output confirms a measurement of one or moreanalyte sensors. In the above determination, the model may becontinuously updated with data associated with one or more environmentalconditions and a concentration of analyte detected by one or moreanalyte sensors. If the model indicates that nodes in the sensor networkare not in the direction of plume dispersion those sensing nodes may beexcluded from the network to save energy. Step 532 may involve more datatransfer and energy consumption than, for example, any step in the firstmode 502. Transferring substantial data and/or consuming substantialenergy in step 532 may be acceptable since a statistically significantlikelihood (e.g., based on a first threshold and a second threshold)that an analyte is present in the detection region may exist. Byavoiding substantial data transfer and/or substantial energy consumptionuntil a statistically significant likelihood that an analyte is presentin the detection region, the analyte detection system 100 may avoidunnecessary resource utilization.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, embodiments of the present invention include ananalyte sensor network operating in a first mode and a second mode. Inan embodiment, the analyte sensor network may switch from operating inthe first mode to operating in the second mode if a first threshold isexceeded (e.g., a voltage of an electrical signal outside one standarddeviation of a blank value). In another embodiment, the analyte sensornetwork may switch from operating in the second mode to operating in thefirst mode if a second threshold is not exceeded (e.g., a determinedanalyte concentration does not exceed one standard deviation of a blankvalue). In an embodiment, operating in the first mode may require lessresource utilization than operating in the second mode. For example, incomparison to operating in the second mode, operating in the first modemay involve, for example, less energy consumption, less datatransmission (e.g., no data transmission between the nodes), less use ofcomputing resources (e.g., a processor may only determine whether avoltage of an electrical signal exceeds a first threshold), and lessfrequent detection of an analyte by analyte sensors (e.g., an analytesensor may only detect an analyte once per day). The analyte sensornetwork may operate in the first mode at a lower operating cost (e.g.,lower energy and/or maintenance cost) than if the analyte sensor networkis operating in the second mode. If a second threshold is exceeded, asignificant probability exists that an analyte leak may exist. Thus,additional resources (e.g., energy, data transmission, computingresources, detection frequency, etc.) may be employed if a significantprobability exists that an analyte leak exists (i.e., if the secondthreshold is exceeded). By allocating less resources to the first modeand more resources to the second mode, the analyte sensor network mayoperate more efficiently and at less cost.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic of an example of a computing nodeis shown. Computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable computingnode and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope ofuse or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, computing node 10 is capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, which isoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 6, computer system/server 12 in computing node 10 isshown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The componentsof computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18that couples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Based on the foregoing, a computer system, method, and computer programproduct have been disclosed. However, numerous modifications andsubstitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the present invention has been disclosedby way of example and not limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: detecting an analyte byidentifying an electrical signal generated by an electrochemicalreaction of the analyte using at least one sensor in an analyte sensornetwork comprising a sensor node array having a plurality of nodes and alocal gateway; determining an analyte concentration based on the one ormore environmental conditions; and transmitting, by the local gateway,data associated with the analyte concentration.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein, detecting the analyte comprises: detecting the analyte withan analyte sensor network established within a detection region, whereinthe plurality of nodes comprise at least one first node and a pluralityof second nodes distributed throughout the detection region, wherein theat least one first node comprises a first analyte sensor and each nodeof the plurality of second nodes comprises a second analyte sensor,wherein the first analyte sensor has a lower detection limit than thesecond analyte sensor, and wherein detecting the analyte comprisesidentifying an electrical signal generated by an electrochemicalreaction of the analyte with at least one of the first analyte sensor orthe second analyte sensor; obtaining, in response to the electricalsignal exceeding a first threshold value, data associated with one ormore environmental conditions of the detection region, whereindetermining an analyte concentration is based on the one or moreenvironmental conditions; and transmitting, by the local gateway, dataassociated with the analyte concentration is performed in response tothe analyte concentration exceeding a second threshold value, whereindetecting the analyte is performed in a first mode and obtaining andtransmitting the data are performed in a second mode.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the second mode further comprises: detecting theanalyte by one or more nodes of the plurality of nodes; determining, bythe one or more nodes, the analyte concentration based on the one ormore environmental conditions and the detected analyte; andtransmitting, by the one or more nodes, data associated with the analyteconcentration at the one or more nodes to the local gateway.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the first analyte sensor is an optical sensorand the second analyte sensor is a chemiresistive sensor.
 5. The methodof claim 2, wherein the determining the analyte concentration based onone or more environmental conditions is performed by at least one nodeof the plurality of nodes.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the secondmode further comprises: triangulating a position of the at least onefirst node and the plurality of second nodes.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein the second mode further comprises: modeling an analyte plumebased on the analyte concentration determined for a location of at leastone node of the plurality of nodes; and determining a location of a leakof the analyte.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the analyte sensornetwork is a mesh network.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:detecting, by at least one node of the plurality of nodes, the one ormore environmental conditions of the detection region.
 10. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the one or more environmental conditions comprise atleast one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, dewpoint, pressure, solar irradiance, air quality, or snow depth.
 11. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, by the local gateway,data associated with environmental conditions of the detection region;and transmitting, by the local gateway, the data associated withenvironmental conditions of the detection region to a processor.
 12. Themethod of claim 2, wherein determining the analyte concentration basedon the one or more environmental conditions comprises: receiving, by aprocessor, analyte monitoring data from at least one of the firstanalyte sensor or the second analyte sensor; calculating, by theprocessor, a value for the analyte concentration based, in part, on dataassociated with the one or more environmental conditions of thedetection region; and identifying, by the processor, the value greaterthan one standard deviation of a blank value.
 13. The method of claim 2,wherein the second threshold is a value for the analyte concentrationthat exceeds one standard deviation of a blank value.
 14. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the analyte sensor network comprises at least one of:an electrochemical device; a photovoltaic device; a thermoelectricdevice; a piezoelectric device; a betavoltaic device; a turbine; or areciprocating engine.
 15. A system comprising: one or more computerprocessors; one or more computer-readable storage media; programinstructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for executionby at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructionscomprising instructions for: detecting an analyte by identifying anelectrical signal generated by an electrochemical reaction of theanalyte with at least one sensor in an analyte sensor network comprisinga sensor node array having a plurality of nodes and a local gateway;determining an analyte concentration based on the one or moreenvironmental conditions; and transmitting, by the local gateway, dataassociated with the analyte concentration.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein, detecting the analyte comprises: detecting the analyte with ananalyte sensor network established within a detection region, whereinthe plurality of nodes comprise at least one first node and a pluralityof second nodes distributed throughout the detection region, wherein theat least one first node comprises a first analyte sensor and each nodeof the plurality of second nodes comprises a second analyte sensor,wherein the first analyte sensor has a lower detection limit than thesecond analyte sensor, and wherein detecting the analyte comprisesidentifying an electrical signal generated by an electrochemicalreaction of the analyte with at least one of the first analyte sensor orthe second analyte sensor; obtaining, in response to the electricalsignal exceeding a first threshold value, data associated with one ormore environmental conditions of the detection region, whereindetermining an analyte concentration is based on the one or moreenvironmental conditions; and transmitting, by the local gateway, dataassociated with the analyte concentration is performed in response tothe analyte concentration exceeding a second threshold value, whereindetecting the analyte is performed in a first mode and obtaining andtransmitting the data are performed in a second mode.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the second mode further comprises: detecting theanalyte by one or more nodes of the plurality of nodes; determining, bythe one or more nodes, the analyte concentration based on the one ormore environmental conditions and the detected analyte; andtransmitting, by the one or more nodes, data associated with the analyteconcentration at the one or more nodes to the local gateway.
 18. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the first analyte sensor is an opticalsensor and the second analyte sensor is a chemiresistive sensor.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the determining the analyte concentrationbased on one or more environmental conditions is performed by at leastone node of the plurality of nodes.
 20. The system of claim 16, whereinthe second mode further comprises: triangulating a position of the atleast one first node and the plurality of second nodes.